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Rangers Announce Minor League Award-Winners for May

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Press Release |

Arlington, Texas - The Texas Rangers announced today the club's minor league award winners for May. Right-hander Chi Chi Gonzalez was named Pitcher of the Month, third baseman Joey Gallo was named Player of the Month, catcher Tomas Telis was named Defender of the Month, and right-hander Phil Klein was named Reliever of the Month.

Gallo, 20, batted .326 (30-92) with 4 doubles, a triple, 12 home runs, 26 RBI, 26 walks, and 26 runs over 28 games in May with High-A Myrtle Beach to capture his second straight Player of the Month award. The third baseman was tied for the most home runs in all of minor league baseball during the month and also ranked among the overall leaders in SLG (3rd, .783), OPS (1.266), walks (T5th), and runs (T9th). Gallo matched a career high with 3 home runs on May 16 vs. Potomac and later added a 2 home run and 7 RBI performance on May 30 vs. Carolina. The Las Vegas native was promoted to Double-A Frisco on June 8 and has combined to bat .320 (64-200) with 10 doubles, 3 triples, 23 home runs, 56 RBI, and 53 walks in 61 games between the RoughRiders and Pelicans. He currently leads all of minor league baseball in home runs. This is the 3rd straight Player of the Month award for the Gallo, who also won the monthly honor for August/September 2013 and April 2014. He was selected in the supplemental first round (39th overall) of the 2012 June draft and signed by Todd Guggiana.

Gonzalez, 22, went 4-0 with a 1.59 ERA (6 ER/34.0 IP) and 26 strikeouts against 10 walks over 5 starts with High-A Myrtle Beach in May. The right-hander also held Carolina League batters to a .179 average (22-123) during the month. The Oral Roberts product completed at least 7.0 innings in 3 of the 5 starts, including a career-best 8.0 shutout innings on May 3 vs. Frederick. Gonzalez also had a no-hitter broken up in the 7th inning of his start on May 20 at Frederick, earning his 5th consecutive win in that outing. He was promoted to Frisco on June 10 and allowed just one hit over 5.0 scoreless innings in his Double-A debut that night vs. Midland. Overall, Gonzalez has combined to go 6-2 with a 2.43 ERA (19 ER/70.1 IP) over 12 starts with Myrtle Beach and Frisco. The Florida native was selected in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2013 June draft and signed by Jay Eddings.

Telis, who turns 23 next Wednesday, appeared in 14 games behind the plate and started once at third base for the RoughRiders in May. Overall, Telis has played 31 games at catcher this season for Frisco and compiled a .990 fielding percentage (3 E/291 TC). He has also thrown out 15 of 55 (27.3%) would-be basestealers. At the plate, Telis is batting .328 (59-180) with 12 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, and 27 RBI. The Venezuela native currently boasts the highest average in the Texas League after batting.369 (38-103) over 26 games in May.

Klein, 25, compiled a 0.71 ERA (1 ER/12.2 IP) and converted all 6 save opportunities over 9 relief appearances in May. The right-hander recorded 14 strikeouts against just 3 walks and limited opposing batters to a .122 average (5-41). Klein finished the month with 8.2 scoreless innings over his last 6 appearances, a scoreless streak that currently stands at 11.2 innings. The former Youngstown State Penguin has gone 3-0 with a 0.95 ERA (3 ER/28.1 IP) and 37 strikeouts over 20 relief appearances with the 'Riders this season. He is currently tied for 4th in the Texas League with 7 saves. The Ohio native was selected in the 30th round of the 2011 June draft and signed by Roger Coryell.